They call it the Tower of Power and it might just be the most thrilling water slide in the world. Anyone who is brave enough to take the plunge down its 28m near-vertical slope will be quickly surrounded by alligators and thousands of tropical fish as they pass through the open-air aquarium at its base.

Thankfully, there is no danger of getting eaten. Riders are surrounded by a tough glass tube which eventually dumps them in a separate pool of water; completely alligator-free. Siam Park, which stands above Tenerife's hugely popular package holiday resort of Playa de las Americas, is likely to attract about 6,000 visitors a day when it finally opens in September.

Built at a cost of £40m, the park was originally due to open in May but technical issues have kept the holidaymakers waiting.

The German owners are the same people behind Tenerife's other popular "playground", Loro Parque in Santa Cruz and – as in the case of that major success story – are determined to make it worth the wait. Its sub-tropical setting has been designed to recreate the look and feel of ancient Thailand, while the lush vegetation provides a jungle-like scenery to camouflage any bricks and mortar.

Other attractions at Siam Park will include the world's longest lazy river ride, which stretches over 1,000m, and also passes through the aquarium, a huge artificial white sandy beach and Wave Palace generating the largest man-made waves on the planet, and the Lost City adventure zone which is aimed at younger children.

Add a further 11 major water rides, a wide selection of bars and restaurants, as well as a floating market, and it is easy to see why the Tenerife tourist board is rubbing its hands in anticipation over its imminent arrival.

At about £25 per day for adults and £18 for children, it should also offer good value for money, providing, of course, that the queues are managed efficiently to reduce waiting times. We all know there is nothing worse than standing in queues under the baking sun. Spare a thought for the owners of the neighbouring Aqualand, however, which, until now, was the only water park on Tenerife. Its owners definitely have to come up with something special to compete.

Tenerife, however, is not all theme parks and package holidays. Just three kilometres down the road from Siam Park, a transformation of epic proportions has been taking place.

Over the last five years, the Costa Adeje coastline has become the home to some of the most sophisticated and highest quality hotels on the island of Tenerife.

With an average annual temperature of 24C, large expanses of beautiful scenery, and a full range of leisure and recreational activities, the area is a wonderful place for a luxury sunshine getaway at any time of the year and is just a four-hour flight from the North of England. Mother Nature even provides her own version of the water park in the Atlantic straits which separate the island from nearby La Gomera.

Boat trips offering sightseeing tours of the whales and dolphins are highly recommended. Cheaper prices are available on the often congested tourist boats, so it might be advisable to hire a personal boat in order to enjoy the experience privately with family
and friends.

The local captains have a nose for the dolphins' whereabouts and seeing these graceful creatures skipping alongside your vessel is a humbling experience. A variety of water-sports including scuba-diving and water-skiing lessons are always available around the local ports and beaches.

Nature is also responsible for Tenerife's most visited tourist attraction, the Teide National Park, dominated by the volcano that gave it its name and which stands at a height of 3,718 metres.

The idea of star-gazing from the top of Mount Teide was initially something that failed to set my pulse alight. We all glance at the night skies occasionally back home but a more prolonged study of the stars would demand greater enthusiasm. But I have to admit that the view from the top of Teide opens the eyes to a whole new world. The combination of high altitude, low humidity and little artificial light makes Tenerife one of the best places in the world to observe the stars and the solar system.

The sun setting behind the clouds beneath us cast a halo of light around the mountains. Slowly but surely the sky turned into a blanket of twinkling stars.

Star-gazing has fascinated people for thousands of years and raised many questions about our origins and place in the universe. The Plough, the Scorpion, and the Scales were just some of the constellations pointed out to us by our astronomer guide. However, the biggest gasps were drawn by the sight of a satellite making its once-a-week trek across the sky. It might sound like a simple pleasure, but it was another humbling experience. As visitor attractions go, Mount Teide is one of Tenerife's shining stars.

"Tenerife Select" is the ideal company for anyone looking for that extra quality to complement the diversity of the island.

Among the hotels it recommends is the five-star Hotel Plantacion del Sur which boasts a privileged location in the south of the island on an elevation between the beaches of Duque and La Caleta. Its exclusive villas even have private gardens with jacuzzi. Other facilities include five freshwater swimming pools, three restaurants, three bars and a mini club. There is also a 2,500 square metre spa with 16 massage cubicles and extensive programme of beauty treatments.

For a touch more privacy, the nearby Hotel Royal Garden Villas and Spa offers 28 luxury villas, each with private pool located on a cliff over the Costa Adeje golf course. Other top-quality luxury hotels can be found throughout the island, many of which also have first-class
spa facilities.

Getting and staying there:
For more information about Tenerife Select, visit www.webtenerife.com/exclusivity

For reservations at the Hotel La Plantacion del Sur, visit www.laplantaciondelsur.com or www.vinccihoteles.com or call 0034 922 717 773.

For reservations at the Hotel Royal Garden Villas and Spa, visit www.royalgardenvillas.com

Low fares airline Monarch offers year-round flights to Tenerife from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, starting from £54.50 one way (£93.99 return).

For more information or to book, visit www.monarch.co.uk or call 0871 225 3884.

For details of star-gazing on Mount Teide, visit www.teideastro.com

For whale and dolphin excursions, try Charter Sailing Raimbow Canarias S.L, telephone +34 922 74 01 88.